Posts by Jacob Aldridge
My Pond Theory Part II, or How Social Networks Avoid Failing [Archive]
Originally published on the Shirlaws Business Coaching Blog, 2007-2010. How to change So I think I have the answer to why, as they currently exist, social networks must ‘fail’. (You will have noted I put ‘fail’ in inverted commas. Many will succeed in their own way, by staying small and avoiding this issue. Most of those…
Read MoreMy Pond Theory, or Why Social Networks Must ‘Fail’ [Archive]
Originally published on the Shirlaws Business Coaching Blog, 2007-2010. If social groups are valued by their size and Google ranking, why does my favourite site work so hard to remain anonymous? I’ve noted before that the main Social Networks (like MySpace and Facebook) each had their own position in the market, but are now pursuing the seemingly…
Read MoreThere are only four good reasons to have a business website [Archive]
Originally published on the Shirlaws Business Coaching Blog, 2007-2010. There are only four good reasons to have a website. So why do so many businesses choose reason number five? A recent web-based survey by AllBusiness.com indicated that only 55% of SMEs had a website. That means almost half do not have a website, and while I’m sure the…
Read MoreGet ready to execute your Post-Recession Strategy
November economic snapshot. Let’s talk execution! This month you’ll be pulled in many different directions. I’m here to remove some of the noise: Create a time for reflection, and celebrate your COVID Blessings. When bombarded with negativity farewelling 2020, ‘Decline the Invitation’. We are still in a Recession. Keep giving love to your clients. AND…
Read MoreThe Why, What and How of Blogging [Archive]
Originally published on the Shirlaws Business Coaching Blog, 2007-2010. Are you hip to the benefits of new technology, or thinking about installing a CD Player into your Stagecoach? I promised the theme of this year’s blog would be ‘Efficiency‘, and threatened it would likely start with a technological flavour to educate and entertain a non-business geek audience.…
Read MoreNovember snapshot: two track recovery
Welcome to economic snapshot and business forecast number 20. First, my prediction that Donald Trump will lose the Electoral College 369-169. Of course, that prediction is from November 2016: sometimes being early is the same as being wrong. What are your October economic indicators? What does this mean for business opportunities in November? How can you ensure…
Read MoreChoose Magnificence [Archive]
Originally published on the Shirlaws Business Coaching Blog, 2007-2010. This is a copy of a speech I gave to a group of high school seniors recently. That’s an experience I’ve wanted to have for some time, and I hope to do similar events often in the future. As with all speeches, I learnt a lot…
Read MoreFeeling a little fragile? Get anti-fragile with our October update
A lot of us have spent 2020 feeling ‘Fragile’, and perhaps you wish things were different – that you and your business were more ‘Robust’? But when I look at my clients who are doing well right now, it’s not because they’re robust. It’s because they’ve gone one step further in developing their systems, business…
Read MoreSocial Networks for Business [Archive]
Originally published on the Shirlaws Business Coaching Blog, 2007-2010. Your business can never have too many friends. Why? What better way to get to know, and be known by, a broader network of possible clients and staff, especially the oft sought-after and much generalised Gen X & Gen Y? I’ve heard of that, but exactly what…
Read MoreTechnology Trends for Businesses in 2008 [Archive]
Originally published on the Shirlaws Business Coaching Blog, 2007-2010. VoIP Why? Cost efficient, close to free telephony. I’ve heard of that, but exactly what is it? Historically, telephones have transferred your voice, converted and interpreted by receivers, through increasingly efficient materials from copper lines to fibre optics. VoIP stands for ‘Voice over Internet Protocol’, and…
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